Chapter 16

Kari

I copied the words that had been embedded in my mind ever since my first change and put them on paper. I would find some way to give them to the wolfing, Jake. That way he would know enough; unless he was too stupid to figure it out.

I wasn't about to kill one of my own kind; whether or not I liked them.

I neatly folded the paper, and placed it in my pocket. I glanced around the small coffee shop I was in.

A man in a black shirt with at least three tattoos was looking at me. I narrowed my eyes and stared into his.

After a minute, he decided he didn't want any coffee to drink, and left quickly, almost falling out of his chair.

Several other people in the coffee shop glanced at him, shrugged, and went back to their conversations with each other and such.

Stretching, I got up and left, walking out of the pale-rose colored room, into the streets, to prepare for the Wereing.

Chapter 17

Jake

I crankily got up. Today was not going to be pleasant.

I checked the calendar. October 13, 2000. A Friday.

Sighing, I changed into school clothes, and went downstairs. I headed out the door avoiding my family; I did not want to talk.

I headed towards the school, walking fast. Remembered I had three tests that day, one in history, a math test, and an English test. Wonderful, my favorite subjects. Better than science though.

I sighed again, 'Free Falling' playing on my mind. I passed trees that had lost their leaves completely, a pile of red or orange or yellow around them. A beautiful sight, for those who cared about scenery.

I edged into the school, and put my stuff in my locker. Then, walking fast, I headed to class.

I slammed my stuff on the desk I sat in, and there-

Under the desk lay a crumpled piece of greeny black paper.

I opened it, and written in a spiky slant were the words "Rules of the "Wereing".

Looking around, I saw no one acting suspicious, I had a few minutes before class.

I squinted to read the words, hunched over the paper.

Chapter 18

Cassie

At lunch I saw Jake, a troubled look on his face, and there was a thin, pale look to his features. I walked forward to talk to him, to understand, but he gave me a look that said 'Not Now'. Shrugging, I sat down at a table next to Rachel.

"Jake's acting odd again," Rachel commented, obviously seeing our looks.

"Yeah," I said, brow furrowing.

"Do you know what's wrong with him?" She asked.

"Me? No." I answered.

"Well, you're the one that's the expert at characters and stuff. I figured you would know." Rachel said in a bored tone.

"Rachel, I don't know how to judge anyone in our group anymore."

"You do too. I know you, Cassie. We've been best friends for forever. But if you don't know, I'll take you're word for it. Let's talk about something else, OK? I'm getting creeped out."

"Don't I know it."

"You know," She said, looking me up and down. "We should go shopping."

Chapter 19

Marco

I passed everyone in our little group that day, but not Kari. I looked for her expectantly, trying to figure out where she was.

Sighing, I moved on. I should've known better than to keep my hopes up. Even though I am always trying to find something funny about every situation, this time I couldn't.

The gods of irony were at it again.

First it was my mom 'dying', then finding she was Visser One, then two other times not knowing whether or not she was alive, etc. It was just so sad it was funny.

I laughed out loud, and several people stared at me. We were in the middle of class.

I grinned. "Sorry. I just remembered this joke. Ever hear the one about the three nuns wh-"

The kids had turned away, and the teacher was glaring.

What class was this? My mind raced. English! That's it.

"No talking during a test."

"This is a test? I didn't know! You didn't warn us…" My mind raced for excuses.

"I gave you three weeks to prepare."

"Oh, THAT test. Alrighty."

I got to work.

'Write a paragraph about…" That was about as far as I got when I remembered. "IT'S FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH!" I cried.

The teacher sighed, and shook her head.

That was the highlight of my day.

Chapter 20

Ax

Several T.V shows later, Tobias, Prince Jake, Cassie, Marco, Rachel, and I were gathered in the woods. I don't like being in Cassie's barn; it's too enclosed.

"So. We're doing it tonight?" Marco asked. "There's a good movie on Starz, I've been waiting weeks…"

"Yes Marco, we ARE doing it today. Or, tonight."

"The first full moon of October." Rachel stated grimly. "3 days of the full moon, Friday the 13th being the first. That's today. Friday the 13th" She repeated.

"We are soo doomed." Jake rolled his eyes. "I can't believe how odd you guys are acting. Nothing bad is going to happen to night. That is, not to us. To the Yeerks." He grinned.

Perhaps we should all go and check out this entrance Tobias has provided us so we might be prepared for tonight? I asked.

"Sounds like a plan," Cassie said. "Jake?"

"Fine. We'll go check the roof first, then go inside and look around."

I began to morph my bird: Northern Harrier. I was aware of my friends morphing around me, all but Tobias, who was a bird already. At least, in body.

The first change was my size. I shrank and shrank to bird-size, and then my face grew into a beak.

The next change was my legs. The front ones dwindled to nothing while my back legs turned into the scaly bird legs and feet, complete with talons.

Next, my arms disappeared to Z-Space, and then wings grew. My eyes sharpened, my eyestalks leaving, and then the feathers grew. My tail became a bird's, and soon, I found myself complete on the forest floor, along with six other birds of prey.

Flapping our wings, our band flew up into the sky, headed towards the town and the arcade.